Wound Care Guide

Wound Care Guide

Abrasion

an area damaged by scraping or wearing away

How to treat

Clean the wound with a non-fibre shedding material or sterile gauze, and use an antiseptic such as Betadine. If there is embedded dirt, Savlon may be used as it contains an antiseptic and a surfactant to help remove debris. Rinse the wound after five minutes with sterile saline or flowing tap water.

Don’t scrub at embedded dirt, as this can traumatise the site even more.

Cover the cleaned wound with an appropriate non-stick sterile dressing.

Change the dressing according to the manufacturer’s instructions (some may be left in place for several days to a week). If you reapply antiseptic, wash it off after five minutes and then redress the wound.

Infection

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.

Red streaks extending from the affected area.

Drainage of pus from the area.

Fever

Laceration

a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh.

How to treat

Apply direct pressure on the area.

Clean the area with warm water and gentle soap.Apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce chance of infection.Put a sterile bandage on the area. In some people, antibiotic ointments may cause a rash. If this happens, stop using the ointment.

Call a health care provider if:The cut is deep or over a jointYou cannot get the cut or laceration cleanThe injury is a deep puncture wound or the person has not had a recent (within the last 5 to 10 years) tetanus shot or boosterThe cut is from a human or animal bite

For a minor cut or laceration, remove bandage after a couple of days to promote healing.See a heath care provider if the cut doesn't heal or shows signs of infection, including redness, swelling, pus, or excessive pain.

Infection

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.

Red streaks extending from the affected area.

Drainage of pus from the area.

Fever

Puncture

A puncture wound has a small entry hole caused by a pointed object, such as a nail that you've stepped on. In contrast, a cut is an open wound that produces a long tear in the skin. Puncture wounds require different treatment from cuts because these small holes in the skin can disguise serious injury.

How to treat it

Remove the Object if You Can. If the object that caused the puncture is small and you can easily remove it, do so.Stop the Bleeding. Apply firm, direct pressure with sterile gauze or clean cloth until bleeding stops.Clean and Protect the Wound. Rinse the wound under clean water for several minutes Treat Pain.

Infection

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.

Red streaks extending from the affected area.

Drainage of pus from the area.

Fever

Avulsion

The complete tearing away or forcible separation of flesh

How to treat it

Allowing the wound to heal on its own, growing new skin from the edges into the middle

Stitching the edges of the wound together, if the wound is small

Reattaching the avulsed skin

Grafting skin over the wound

Infection

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.

Red streaks extending from the affected area.

Drainage of pus from the area.

Fever

Incision

They are caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such as a knife, razor, or glass splinter.

How to treat it

Elevate the wound above your heart for a few days to lessen swelling and pain and to speed healing.

Don't pull on stitches, staples, tape, or surgical glue.

Avoid scratching an itchy wound. ...

If you have a skin adhesive, keep the wound away from direct sunlight.

Infection

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.

Red streaks extending from the affected area.

Drainage of pus from the area.

Fever

How to tell if you need stitches

Deep enough to expose the dermis or yellow subcutaneous fatty tissueGaping open so that you can’t easily use gentle pressure to press the edges together

Located on or across a joint (You may also have damaged nerves, tendons, or ligaments.)

The result of an animal or human bite (You may need a tetanus booster shot or oral antibiotics, as well as stitches.)

A result of a foreign object impaling the areaMade by a high-pressure impact from a projectile like a bullet

Contaminated or resulting from a very dirty or rusty object

Bleeding profusely (and flow does not appear to slow)On a cosmetically significant area, such as the face